Editorial: Brian Bosma's bad move breeds cynicism

Indiana Speaker of the House Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis.

With one unfortunate decision, Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma has all but ensured that the already polarizing debate over HJR-3, the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, will be even more divisive and painful as the legislative process unfolds in the weeks ahead.

Bosma on Tuesday took the unusual step of shifting the resolution out of the House Judiciary Committee, where it was the subject of a four-hour hearing last week, to the Elections Committee, which conducted its own hearing and passed the bill Wednesday. A spokeswoman for Bosma said the Speaker made that move - which he had to have known would trigger strong objections from the amendment's opponents - because he was committed to ensuring that the full House votes on HJR-3.

But the Speaker burned some good will and political capital in personally driving a proposed amendment that even he admits should not be a legislative priority. HJR-3 is not only a distraction from more essential goals such as strengthening the state's economy and improving student achievement, it's also unnecessary. State law already bans same-sex marriages in Indiana.

The Speaker's use of raw political power to force the outcome he wants further erodes public trust in government. Hundreds of opponents traveled to the Statehouse on Jan. 13 to voice their objections when the Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the amendment. Many packed the House gallery, and others stood for hours in the hallways outside the chamber. By shopping the resolution to a different committee more than a week after the original hearing, Bosma, who has deservedly won praise in recent years for forward-thinking leadership, sent the message that those Hoosiers' opinions and time don't truly matter to House leaders.

Bosma, who has served in the House since 1986, has been in leadership positions for many years and is serving his second stint as Speaker. In short, he's a Statehouse veteran who knows the importance of an accurate Whip count (polling lawmakers ahead of a vote). He had ample opportunity to ascertain the Judiciary Committee's leanings ahead of the original committee assignment and not have to resort to a late-in-the-game move that smacks of rule-changing.

Brian Bosma had the authority to assert his power in the way he did this week. But it was the wrong move to make, and the wrong time to make it.

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Editorial: Brian Bosma's bad move breeds cynicism

With one unfortunate decision, Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma has all but ensured that the already polarizing debate over HJR-3, the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage,